6 December, 2024

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Sri Lanka’s Dilemma On China’s Potential Invasion Of Taiwan

By Ayathuray Rajasingam

Ayathuray Rajasingam

A brief history of Taiwan will demonstrate the reason for Taiwan to be a separate entity from the mainland China. As a result of the surrender of Japan at the end of the Second World war, the island of Taiwan was placed under the governance of the Republic of China (ROC) on 25th October 1945. When the civil war erupted with the Chinese Communist Party and the Republic of China, the ROC located to Taiwan in 1949. Since then the ROC continued exercise effective jurisdiction over Taiwan and other islands outside Taiwan. Dongsha Islands is also administered by Taiwan, but claimed by China, which is located 310 kilometers south-east of Hongkong, thus leaving Taiwan and China each under the rule of different government.  

Taiwan recognized themselves to be Taiwanese only and reject the designation of Chinese national. Taiwan emphasized its people are Taiwanese politically and legally like the people of Gibraltar and that they are not Chinese. The tiny peninsula of Gibraltar located in Spain, has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713. Accordingly, the USA took an assertive position on Taiwan which in turn has led to more tension in the South China Sea. 

While USA and China were suggesting to co-operation between themselves, USA enacted the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act of 2019 into law. This law recognizes Taiwan as Independent. It encourages other countries and international organizations to strengthen their official and unofficial ties with Taiwan and promises to increase US ‘economic, security, and diplomatic engagement’ with Nations that do so. It also threatened to punish Nations that undermine Taiwan, but China considers such Taipei Act as a sabotage against it. At present, 15 States have recognized Taiwan as the Republic of China. In such a situation Taiwan called for enhanced co-operation with the USA that goes beyond weapon sales, to strengthen Taiwan’s Defence reform and Military modernization.

China has been claiming Taiwan as part of its territory since the Republic of China government was relocated to Taiwan in 1949. In real terms, People’s Republic of China ruled mainland China only and has no control over Taiwan. China’s claim over Taiwan is meaningless as Taiwan is sovereign by the International Law definition because it possesses all the requirements of a Statehood such as citizenship, territorial jurisdiction, government and sovereignty. It is an ultimate authority independent of other authorities in the world though there was no official recognition for Taiwan. But the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act of 2019 sends the message of indirect recognition. Having  known that Chinese investments were aimed at controlling territories and governments with the debt-trap policy, Sri Lanka supported China’s ‘One China’ policy and asserted that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. As a result, Sri Lanka supported China many times on human rights motions brought against China to prove its loyalty to China. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is in a dilemma to oppose the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act.  

Since President Tsai-Ing-wen was elected President in 2016 China has intensified its military efforts to threaten Taiwan. The recent call of President Xi-Jinping to Chinese Marines to ‘prepare for war’ as China continues to ramp up military posturing in the Taiwan Strait. He told that Marines should shoulder the important duty of safeguarding China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, maritime interests and overseas interests’ – an undisguised reference to Taiwan and the South China Sea. His emphasis on ‘regions of significant overseas interests’ and his claim ‘that the increasing strategic pressure from foreign hostile forces’ indirectly pointed out to USA, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, India, UK and Australia.  

China also issued a statement that ‘We sternly warn related parties that any statement and act that sabotages the ‘One China’ principle and stir up troubles in the Taiwan Straits, does not fit the fundamental interests of China and the US, and damages the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, as it brings a real threat to peace and stability in the region which is very dangerous.’ 

But there is the law of the seas in International Law which the US has reminded China which had failed to take into consideration. The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Straits demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere International Law allows. The destroyer USS Barry passed through Taiwan Strait in what the US Pacific Fleet said was a ‘routine’ transit in accordance with International Law.

Though a rapid development of China’s military has been accompanied by ‘targeted’ military action against Taiwan, Taiwan soon engaged in military modernizing programme aimed at making its armed forces more nimble, the result of such modernized military saw that when several People’s Liberation Army Air Force planes including Chinese Sukhoi-30 fighter jets and Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft violated Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan responded and drove the Chinese warplane back. Finally, on 15th October 2020 Taiwanese F-16 fighter jets outmaneuvered Chinese Sukhoi-30 fighter jet over the Taiwan Strait and drove it out of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone. Such incidents demonstrate that there is a threat from China but that it will be difficult to attack Taiwan.

Taiwan has accused that China has engaged in provocative actions by infringing Taiwan’s air-defence identification zone. Taiwan urged China ‘to return to civilized international standards’ when China openly rejected a maritime boundary in the Taiwan Strait (the so-called median line) that had largely been respected. China’s argument was that there cannot be such line because Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. But President Tsai-Ing-wen rejected China’s claim, as Taiwan is a separate independent territory. 

The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to take control of Taiwan by force if necessary, as part of its ‘One China’ principle. The US along with its Regional Military deployments provides weapons to Taiwan to help protect against possible future invasion. China has criticized the US and Taiwan for a series of planned weapon sales, which US says are intended to fortify Taiwan’s defence. President Xi-Jinping told his military leaders that Chinese marines must focus their minds and energy on preparing for war, while maintaining a high level of readiness. 

The Chinese President’s rallying cry comes at a time when the Chinese Navy continues to carry out live drills in the East China Sea, seemingly rehearsing for a potential invasion of Taiwan. Since September China has flown its military aircraft through Taiwan’s ADIZ with increasing frequency. But Taiwan will be encouraged with a number of planned armed sales to Taiwan by the USA.

Taiwan will receive weapons including a truck mounted Rocket Launcher, Air-to-Ground missiles, F-16 fighter jet data sensors, drones and a Coastal Defence Missile System. Taiwan’s President Tsai-Ing-wen after being re-elected for a second term in January took a soft appeasing tone in her speech to mark Taiwan’s National Day, to which China said President Tsai-Ing-wen was attempting to fool the world and declared the sharp rising of the risk of war. The Chinese Communist Party claims ownership of Taiwan under its ‘One China’ policy and vowed to take control of Taiwan by force, if necessary, if diplomatic means fail. The USA has supported Taiwan’s independence through the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act of 2019, to the annoyance of China.

Though Taiwan faces diplomatic isolation, recent actions of QUAD countries (USA, India, Japan & Australia) have provided encouragement to Taiwan. The aggressive behaviour of China compelled that the QUAD countries must strengthen and support Taiwan. QUAD countries will support Taiwan for three reasons. Since Taiwan is located off the coast of China, the core area of the Chinese economy, and is a strategic location for deterring Chinese aggression. If Taiwan is collaborating with the USA & Japan to exert military pressure on China’s coastal area, then China cannot focus its defence budget and military forces on the India-China border area. Simultaneously, the India-Taipei Association which was established in 1995, is the representative of India in Taiwan and functioning as a de facto Embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations, is another problem for China. Moreover, as the location of Taiwan is between East China Sea & the South China Sea, it is difficult for China to concentrate its naval forces without going through the sea near Taiwan. Second, Taiwan is an important source of information on China. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, Taiwan proved the worth of its knowledge of China, identifying what was happening there and warned the possibility of the pandemic to the WHO in 2019. Simultaneously Taiwan addressed the coronavirus crisis and was successful. The same holds true for the military and economic situation. Taiwan can be a good source of information about China to QUAD countries. Finally, cooperation with Taiwan can be an effective diplomatic card for QUAD countries to wield in response China’s provocations. Moreover, as Taiwan is democratic, it could be a model of democracy for Chinese speakers.      

Though the border tension between India and China together with the encirclement of China on its eastern side by US, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and UK with fully equipped war ships made difficult to invade Taiwan, it cannot be ruled out that China might be tempted to take advantage of a possibly chaotic result of the hotly contested US Presidential election to make good on a long-standing vow to re-unite Taiwan with the mainland, by force, if necessary. But Taiwan is not Tibet to be invaded easily. Nevertheless, China may launch an amphibious invasion of Taiwan or employ non-military means to subdue Taiwan. It will be difficult to conduct an amphibious landing in Taiwan due to the distance and lack of accessible beaches. The QUAD countries are also aware that the development of amphibious fighting vehicle, a test run on the Yangtze River went awry.  

Rajapaksas are aware that China’s involvement in Sri Lanka, ranging from infrastructure development to strong diplomatic support for Sri Lanka, gradually eroded India’s commercial & cultural links with Sri Lanka. Rajapaksas knew that China would rally moral support from him over invading Taiwan. Though Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration reiterates ‘India First Foreign Policy’, there is suspicion in him playing a double standard in leaning towards China. The request from N.Modi on the implementation of the 13th Amendment has been an obstacle and marked time to do away with the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord. 

At this juncture, the Tamils should bear in mind that when India was providing non-lethal weapons to Sri Lanka during the civil war, China supplied requisite arms and ammunition to defeat the LTTE without having any concern for the heavy casualties inflicted on the innocent Tamils. There is a moral obligation for the Tamils to support the actions of QUAD countries against China which is likely to extend a helping hand to Sri Lanka at Geneva. Moreover, the international community is concerned whether Gotabaya Rajapaksa follows ‘One country, One law’, like President Xi-Jinping’s ‘One China’ policy and create chaos in South Asia. It is of paramount interest that when the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo & US Secretary of State Mark Esper leave for India for Talks on Security in the Indo-Pacific, coupled with China’s upset over India’s trade talks with Taiwan, whether Gotabaya Rajapaksa can challenge the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act and bring Sri Lanka into disrepute in the eyes of the international community. Moreover, it is a million dollar question that if the countries in South-East Asia, Europe and other countries in QUAD follows the model of Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act, whether Sri Lanka can speak louder than words against it in the same breath as it refused to sign the MCC compact.

Latest comments

  • 0
    1

    Dear AR

    Thank you.

    Please write articles that really matters to our next generation please. You can write an article on MP’s job scope/action listing/mile stones/progress reporting and how each electorate going to follow up on all the progress Nationally and now Internationally too.

    This is the only think (a template) and request each governments to submit this as a compiled monthly report to the parliament’s and if they ever did that 99% world problems would have been over a long time ago.

    India/China/Taiwan has nothing to do with SL is what we are working to after all the International violations let the blood letting in SL so please stay focused on our Nation as to how we get our MP’s audited for performance etc?? 70 years are public still do not know an MP’s job scope?????? then how can they vote/elect someone in the first place???? remember the consequence of electing the few who stood on stages and sold our children to foreign Nations and ask the kids to kill their enemies????

  • 0
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    Mr Ayathuray Rajasingam
    Where is Taiwan located?

    Soma

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    Soma,
    Taiwan lies about 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait.

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      Then how is Sri Lanka involved?

      Soma

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        Soma,
        You have to ask Rajapaksa why Sri Lanka said that Taiwan is a part of China’s territory. Also do fail to ask Rajapaksa as to why the US enacted the Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act of 2019 as Law and threatened other countries that undermine Taiwan. Finally you can ask Rajapaksa why 15 countries had recognized Taiwan and why was QUAD formed. Then you can get the answer.

        • 0
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          Soma,
          One typographical error. It has to be read as ‘Aso do not fail to ask Rajapaksa as to why the US enacted …..’

  • 3
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    Thiagarajah Venugopal,
    When Modi wanted the 13th Amendment, remained silent cunningly, marking time for the passing of the 20th Amendment. Rajapaksa was cunning that after the passing of the 20th Amendment, he can proceed with the new constitution with the view to annul the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord and thereby abolish the 13th Amendment. Perhaps this may be the advice given by some senior Ministers in his cabinet and China. Will China give a lending hand in this matter as China also provides syndicated loans as these loans have no restrictions in terms of spending. There is also a possibility such loans could have been utilized to buy some Parliamentarians to support he 20th Amendment. We will have to wait until Rajapaksa’s hidden agenda is exposed. Some Parliamentarians should raise why Rajapaksa says that Taiwan is a part China when the US has passed Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act and drag Sri Lanka into unwanted trouble. This is an unwanted exercise by Rajapaksa. Earlier too, Rajapaksa committed a foolish act in respect of Col.Gadaffi of Libya.

    • 0
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      Thank you AR

      In the UN Taiwan is part of China. Sri Lankan Premier expressing that view is important to China-SL relationship specially as you have correctly highlighted the elevated state of affairs due to (1) the war and destruction we had in our Country (2) SL is a land like no other being central part of the Geo political game for a long time.

      We are a rewarded to the highest bidder (our landscape/strategic location) that all other Nations (including India) played this “chess game” of Global management starategy now aimed at taming China. Our children payed the price to an extent even a foreign sponsored terrorism of poisoning our children was not enough to attract the UN/HAGUE against the Indian betrayal.

      Other than the fact we did not know how to resolve our menial issues Nationally amongst ourselves amicably (others around the world have million more problems than we ever did including India) does not justify 13th Amendment.

      For me 13th is a bottleneck for the healthy survival of Tamils of Sri Lanka and the entire Nation at large on the long run is the one and only reason I object to this….nothing to do with my utter dislike for the FP/ITAK/TULF/TNA. I also want the Indian embassy out of Jaffna.

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        Thiagarajah Venugopal,
        UN accepted China instead of Taiwan, but had not accepted Taiwan as part of a territory of China. If US has enacted Taiwan Allies International Protection & Enhancement Initiative (Taipei) Act as Law in its country, then UN should have protested. It remained silent. But there 15 countries that recognized Taiwan for which UN had not protested. Further the Law also states that other countries should follow its practice to have relationship and that any country that undermines Taiwan will be punished. Moreover, China is not in a position to conquer Taiwan and Taiwan has driven away all Chinese fighter jets which had intruded into its territory. It is only a matter of official recognition Now India is considering having dealings in trade with Taiwan. I do not accept separation, but the 13th Amendment paves way for the Tamils to raise in one voice to be a Independent Territory within the Union of India, if Sri Lanka Government is reluctant to implement the 13th Amendment. The Tamil leaders are not realizing this option.

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          Thiagarajah Venugopal,
          Sri Lanka had never been a neutral country. Having shown as an active member in the Non-Aligned Movement, Srimavo-Bandaranayake allowed Pakistani military Planes to re-fuel in Katunayaka Airport. The concept of foreign terrorism in Sri Lanka cannot be accepted by any means. It arose as a result of frustration due to unlawful oppression the Sinhalese-led Government (both S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake & J.R.Jayawardene). It is unfair to blame India because the Tamil leaders were not far-sighted. I know what happened at the Thimpu Talks and at the Talks with Indian Officials. The leaders of the Tamil Organizations were arrogant when they had lack of knowledge in foreign affairs. Even the LTTE had secret links with R.Premadasa to drive away the IPKF. Chandrika allowed Ashroff to transport arms & ammunition to Eastern Province. It is the Sinhalese politicians who introduced the standardization which proved that the Sinhalese leaders were only concentrating that Tamils should not be given due place. This has nothing to do with foreign sponsored terrorism. India as a leading Nation of the SAARC wanted the ethnic problem to be solved in a meaningful manner. Whereas China took a mean advantage of dominating Sri Lanka with its debt-trap policy together with Syndicate loans to satisfy Sri Lanka. All this would not have happened had Sri Lankans gained independence through a bloody battle like India & USA. I also feel that China will be in split into four regions should a war flare up and then only Sri Lanka will realize its faults.

          • 0
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            Dear AR

            Agree. But how where we are should be all about lessons learned? so we become united UNDER THE CURRENT ADMIN and MOVE FORWARD??

        • 0
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          Dear AR

          Thank you.

          (1) Now we are always going to analyses our future based on Indian foreign policy is our future is why 13th is not suitable for our Nation?? this is your understanding and the basis of your analysis??

          (2) You do not feel India need to answer The Hague/UN on the training camps and connivance of the FP/ITAK/TULF?

          (3) Who is going to Investigate the killing fields and human rights abuses in Jaffna 1970-1977-1981? the crimes committed by the Ratha Pottu Mafia?

          (4) Your Muslim solution would be?? assuming we are going to have democracy in Jaffna in the NPC?? Police powers going give human rights based on our track records?? or we will be killing each other and blame on Muslims and Sinhalese until the last man stand?

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            (5) Land and Police powers and the combination of TNA thuggery on the devolved power would repeat the point 3 above? so I can pick up a gun demand anything we all want if and when??

            (6) Future SL conflicts will be managed by the UN/India or the Armed forces based in SL who will be confined to barracks under UN orders so the thuggery can continue??

            (7) What happens to all the Tamils and Muslims living in Sinhalese areas??

            (8) This will eventually result to village after village fighting and UN/India will come into draw separate lines??

            (9) We will then be divided/engulfed by the Chinese/Indian issues is how you are planning to have fair solutions to Tamil/Sinhalese/Muslim problems?? the next cold war between China and India & western alliance will not happen in their frontiers but in Sri Lanka as has happened with so many other countries……Vietnam/Korea..now Sudan.

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              (10) Have discussed any of your TNA planning with Indian/Malaysian/Singaporean/Western newly generation if they ready for another round of battle???

              (11) Basically what you saying is you are a FP/ITAK/TULF/TNA supporter and our journey from 1970 to today has been fully justified as long as TNA get to be ion the Federal state of Jaffna?? this would solved all the problems we ever had historically??

              (12) the relevance of your article to Tamil cause in Sri Lanka would be?

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                Thiagarajah Venugopal,
                I am not a supporter of any Tamil parties. I know what happened. In short if Federalism is not possible because of the Sri Lanka Government’s reluctance to implement the 13th Amendment, then the only option for the Tamil parties is to ask India that they are willing to be an independent Territory within the Union of India through a plebiscite, rather than suffering under the Sinhalese rule. They can the name territory as either Jaffna Pradesh or Trincomalee Pradesh. We cannot use EELAM as it is one of the names of Sri Lanka. The Tamils need not worry about the new constitution. When Ladakh can be made an independent territory, the North-East Province can also be made an Independent Territory within the Union of India through a plebiscite by virtue of the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord. If this is made it will be a checkmate on the Islamic terrorism and India will find it easy to wipe it out.

          • 0
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            correction (1) …13th suitable

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              (13) The population growth by all the Tamil/Muslims will be accommodated throughout Sri Lanka??

              (14) Then the Sinhalese had to fight for a separate state??

              (15) I have mapped the FP/TC politics from Ceyon Congress days and how we got to where we are and the problems highlighted to justify each and every action to date…….and you think 13 is the solution as a political analysts??

              (16) Now showing interest in Chinese vs India politics where lies the confirmation for your justification for the 13?? well it certainly does make sense why we have lost all we had has all along been my analysis?? and the FP had told us that at gun point turning our children to be mercenaries for the Indian venture with their masters??

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                (17) How do feel about the rising National Fronts in the western world against everything that is foreign would be?????in UK alone I have counted more racial death in the last 40 years alone than what we I had counted until 1970 in SL?? in other words until Tamils voted out GG and Amir that is in 1970?

                (18) have you ever drawn a graph death in SL vs FP politics?? there lies the answer to all what has happened and what to come too should you not change cause??

                (19) We would have been better off in a democracy when people were not taken for a ride at gun point by the FP to causes they cooked up as and when with the Indians?

                (20) Killing of Sinhalese identity and replacing with Tamil whatever in post colonial Sri Lanka is a solution to anyones whatever is a very weird/sick thought in my books not line with the human diversity in our planet…in the process we have shed all our responsibility to fellow man and woman period??and made enemies with people who would have really saved us thrive better in the planet as human rights upholders too??

                (21) now the 20a and upcoming constitution may for the last time grant that opportunity to the innocent Tamils and the Muslims I hope away from the ghetto makers.

                • 0
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                  Dear AR

                  (22) Tamils/Muslims/Sinhalese who do not want all these devolutions/separatism/racism/Caste yet want to shape their own future away from the guns introduced by the FP should do what to shape their future???
                  Do you think they should do mass migration out of SL??

                  (23) Will FP/TNA allow these people to leave or hold hostage as there will be no one left to rule?

                  (24) Will FP/TNA masters the geo politicians have identified any use these Majority of SL to be toilet washers??

                  (25) Would all the Tamils from Tamil Nadu/Singapore/Malaysia..western countries all migrate to Sri Lanka to claim their kingdoms now the horrible/nasty people the Majority whom they wanted kill as turncoats have left the Nation??

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                    (26) Would these majority non partisan people be killed/gunned down/hanged on posts/taken to various spots and got rid of by the foreign Tamil underage children trained in TN/summarily executions or be allowed to leave the country in UN ships out of the Country??

                    (27) Would we be able to get Indian citizenship or destined to various factory sweat shops around the world as destitute??

                    (28) Once these parasites leave (meaning people like us) would you share the land mass with Tamil Muslims and Indian Tamils equally or living together happy ever after??

                    • 0
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                      this is why it is important you write an article on the “Ratha Pottu Mafia killing Fields 1970-1977-1981” a Tamil crime against Tamil soonest all the turncoats unfortunate enough to have born in Sri Lanka can get a good feel of terror to come and leave in time for all the great Tamil Journalists living in foreign lands can rightfully return to Sri Lanka soonest??

                      Check out this site and the please go through each and every references we will have a more open discussion how to locate all these folks and have them return home for the due process please
                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Thiagarajah

                      We will start with Sachi Srihanth first at Geneva and in Sri Lanka. sure we will go through the list eventually but need to start somewhere you may agree..for the long journey back to SL?

                    • 1
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                      Thiagarajah Venugopal,
                      When there is a struggle for liberation, all types of atrocities will occur. Soon after the French Revolution, do you know the number of atrocities that occurred during the period of the Reign of Terror. This is what history has taught us. Now take Singapore. Haven’t the leaders recognized each other’s rights and made all four languages equal and give priority to merits. The people never address themselves as Chinese, Malay or Tamil, but as Singaporeans. What has the Rajapakasas or even the previous rulers lost in taking a stand similar to that of Singapore. Sri Lankan politicians are concentrating on fake prides. They do not seem to worry about the sufferings of the helpless Tamils & other people. Having realized all these, India wanted the 13th Amendment implemented which will lead to smooth administration of the Provinces and the country as well. The thing is Sri Lankan Sinhalese leaders have failed to realize the value of independence which was received without bloody struggle.

              • 1
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                Thiagarajah Venugopal,
                You should know that G.Parthasarathy is a seasoned diplomate who has seen two major wars with Pakistan and had tackled it carefully. Even when he tabled the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord before the General Assembly of the UN, all the Western countries applauded it. Had this 13th Amendment been implemented, by now many problems would have been solved. As regarding China, the 13th Amendment would have definitely been a checkmate to China’s evil debt-trap diplomacy. The allegation that our children will be made as mercenaries for India’s venture is totally irrelevant. With the passage of time there will be integration with the Indian citizens. If the Sinhalese are fed up with the clumsy ruling of their politicians they also can request India to become an independent Territory known as Sinhala Pradesh within the Union of India and India has no objection to that.

        • 2
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          “UN accepted China instead of Taiwan, but had not accepted Taiwan as part of a territory of China.”
          Rewriting history?
          Governments of both mainland China and Taiwan (to which Chiang Kai-shek fled following loss of power on the mainland) claimed to be the legitimate governments of ALL OF CHINA. The US ensured that the later (whose government was called the Republic of China) was recognized by the UN, then more than now dominated and manipulated by the US, as the sole representative of China.
          This farce continued until 1972 when the NAM and other Third World countries asserted that The government of the mainland should be recognized.
          There was no question of two Chinas or of one China one Taiwan, until much later when the US chose to encourage Taiwan secessionists to call foe an independent Taiwan. The Guomindang Party that ruled Taiwan for three decades or more opposes separation.
          How far countries will go towards recognizing Taiwan as a state depends on how much they are under obligation to the US. India is testing waters, but how far it will go is another matter.
          *
          As for China, it responds to military build-up in Taiwan with a show of strength, no more. If there is declaration of independence, that will be another scenario.
          China has been measured in its response to any provocation.

      • 1
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        Thiagarajah Venugopal,
        In this geo political game, India was concerned of the growth of Wahabbism in the Eastern Province which was a threat to India. G.Parthasarathy was not stupid to allow the Tamils to pay the price. He was expecting the Tamil Militants to form themselves under one umbrella and tow in line with India’s policy. He was a seasoned diplomate having face two major wars. Foreign sponsored terrorism will not apply to the LTTE. If you maintain foreign terrorism, then how do you describe Tibetans in India. Dalai Lama was never for terrorism. The Tamil Organizations should have listened to the advise of India and blaming India as betraying is meaningless. Even I do not accept with the LTTE’s behaviour. But that does not mean that I am against the Tamils. There is nothing wrong that the Indian High Commission is in Jaffna because they can integrate with the people of Jaffna and take meaningful action. When the Sri Lankan Government places restrictions as usual, I am of the view that the Indian High Commission in Jaffna is a must.

  • 0
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    These guys are dreaming various ways and means, in every moment of their life , how to screw Sri Lanka and derive pervert satisfaction seeing Sri Lanka in trouble on way or the other. These diaspora bxxxxxxx are totally unconcerned that the kith and kin they left behind will equally share, if not more, any suffering visited upon us.
    .
    This is one of most ridiculous such attempts.

    Soma

    • 3
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      somass

      When are you going to own up all those Sinhala/Buddhists engineered mistakes since 1948 and the birth of Wimal, Dhinesh, Gota, S W R D Pandaranayakam, SiriMao, Anagarika Homeless Adharmapala, Channa Jayasumana, ………………… Assgirias, ….. Ganapathipillai, Anuradha Yahampath, ……. Kamal, …. you, your brethren VP, …. Diana, .. say sorry and beg pardon from 21 million stupid people?

    • 1
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      Soma,
      can you tell Rajapaksa that if the 13th Amendment is implemented genuinely, the problem will be solved in a meaningful manner. Why do you want to blame the Tamils. It is Rajapaksas who had made Sri Lanka as a ridiculous country in the eyes of the international community. Now what is your position that Rajapaksas had made Sri Lanka a bankrupt country. Where was his foresight. Do you like to be in Chinese colony. Hope you know what happened to Tibet where the liberties of the Tibetans had been snatched by China.

  • 3
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    Some have got it into their head that attacking China will warm India and the US them (meaning the Tamils) towards them and thereby they can succeed in getting whatever they want in this country.
    They have tried it since 1962 and got nowhere, but learned nothing.
    China, however, has simply ignored them, as they do not matter in Cgina’s regional strategy.
    What the Daft Tamil nationalists do not realize is that neither India nor the US nor China will like a divided Sri Lanka because whichever side one takes, it will bw a liability.
    The US uses HR violations as a ploy to apply pressure; India will talk for internal reasons but do nothing; China will keep a clear distance– even with threats of a S-L Tamil army mobilized to protect India from China.
    I read Rajasingam for sheer amusement. He is not a nasty person to deal with.

    • 2
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      correction
      Some have got it into their head that attacking China will warm India and the US towards them (meaning the Tamils) and thereby they can succeed in getting whatever they want in this country.

    • 2
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      SJ,
      You are mistaken. The Tamil leaders still have not taken a firm decision. They are not united. Finally they are not far-sighted. These problems should be first sorted out. But remember, the Tamils have entered the political scenario in Canada & New Zealand. It is only a matter of time to come to a firm decision. At the same time changes also take place every twenty or thirty years as well as the line of thinking of the future generations. You have to take into consideration of all these aspects. However, China has become a threat to world peace and is an opportunist to be a super power in the Indian Ocean and wants to trap India. But India has become powerful recently to the extent of challenging China. So there is a necessity for the Tamils to adjust themselves according to CHANGES. Tamils have not fallen.

    • 2
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      SJ,
      When TIME CHANGES is mentioned, the behaviour of countries. Earlier Germany and France were rivals for hundreds of years. Today both countries are partners in the European Union. This is an example. Tomorrow if the older generation both in the Sinhalese & Tamil is kicked out, the new generation may like to be united. That is why I mention it is the line of thinking of the future generations. History has taught us many lessons.

      • 2
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        AR
        The only lesson that ‘history has taught us’ is that ‘we learn nothing fro history’.
        *
        BTW
        You have not answered the points raised by me. I know that it is not easy from where you stand.
        *
        You said “When TIME CHANGES is mentioned, the behaviour of countries. “
        Does it include China?
        Whatever you mean, I hope that TIME will CHANGE for your thinking to change for the better.

  • 1
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    Dear AR

    Can you get the Indian Embassy in Jaffna to confirm when we all end up in the park strait as destitute under FP/TNA rule would we be picked up by the Indian fisherman/Indian coast guard/Indian Refugee camps in Tamil Nadu around (20 million people). When would we all get the refugee status/permanent residence/Indian citizenship please.

    Few hundred thousand others are still waiting for the past 40 years and I wonder if there would be a change of heart to process the application before we all die etc??

    Can we make applications now???

    Thanks to FP/TN/India we are all involuntarily enrolled into the “UN Refugee programs” of many versions that is being going on as Toilet washer demand is very high in our planet.

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      Thiagarajah Venugopal,
      UN Charter states ‘countries that are affected by the influx of refugees from another country, have the right to take measures against that country.’ Here is a case India was trying to settle the issue in a meaningful manner. But the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil leaders blundered and were in arrogance. India do not want to dictate because India and Sri Lanka are members of the SAARC. Had the Tamil political leaders requested India that they want to be an ‘Independent Territory within the Union of India’ the problem would have been solved easily through a plebiscite. The granting of Indian citizenship will not arise if such a request was made by the Tamil political leaders.

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      Thiagarajah Venugopal,
      Instead of asking the Indian High Commission in Jaffna, why not suggest that Sri Lanka be made into two Independent Territories namely Jaffna Pradesh and Sinhala Pradesh within the Union of India. This will solve the entire problem including the enactment of a fourth constitution. No Visa problem also. Any body can settle any where. There is freedom of movement. Even the Sinhalese can visit Buddha Gaya at their convenience. And finally no need to smuggle even. There won’t FP,TNA or other parties.

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    After this all the Jaffna children will go to University and study in Tamil or English please???

    Not to worry about all other sectors…..once finished their studies we can all go as Rocket Scientists to serve all humanity just as what the Indian Engineers do around the world today?? would our children be allowed into this club???

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    We should run a world class Tamil University so all the Tamils around the world can come and do all the further study and research all about Tamil and we should make Hon Judge the dean of the University…….Jaffna World Tamil Studies.

    In fact at birth all the babies should pass some exams in Tamil so the birth certificate can be issued too. We need to make this a unique event so all the Tamil Mothers around the world can also come and give birth in Jaffna will be automatically get citizenship in Tamil Kingdom too.

    Would you be implementing all the 400++ resolutions passed at the NPC on the first day?????

    I do apologise for the Karainagar Hindu College name was in my Fathers name now you have rectified this so no turncoat name is not recorded in the history of great Tamil heritage……after being gunned down/taken out/bullets inserted all over my Fathers body by the children trained in India an ahimsa event as SJV put it to the world to liberate Tamilness.

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    Now I understand why TNA need to be represented in the parliament too….it is a compulsory requirement one must have a bloodied hand to enter the parliament? But at least you have Gandhi’s blessing for the journey of Independence/Freedom/Right to Rule etc. Super.

    On my fathers defeat in 1977 my school children were brought in a van to ride around the house and shout we do not want water/schools/hospitals/roads/jobs and all other development but want self rule and we will die for that cause. Most of those children I grew up with me too died killing each other and all other mother Lankan Children after the “initiation” in Indian camps.

    They died because the FP has done the first initiation of poisoning them systematically first and had them stolen and taken them to Tamil Nadu camps…..on return they all knew how to follow orders and shoot to kill.

    I even had classmates who spoke of Chinese communism/Carl Marx and they had the same books started blaming my Father as the cause of all evil to Tamil survival….at age 13/14/15….?? at the same time western countries shaking hands with the FP/ITAK/TULF??

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    I was born 1963.

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    Dear AR

    https://thefederal.com/international/how-a-lankan-tamil-tried-to-capture-maldives-and-india-beat-him-back/

    Do you know these people please? did you meet them in Thimbu??

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      Thiagarajah Venugopal,
      What the PLOTE did was illegal. As regarding Thimpu Talks, I know that some of them (I do not wish to mention their names) were arrogant and do not want Amirthalingam to talk. They spoilt every thing. Please read my article – ‘The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord & the 13th Amendment’ which appeared in the Colombo Telegraph. I had close contacts with the Indian High Commission and was discussing about their nature. LTTE never participated in it which was another blunder. Had A.Amirthalingam been allowed to speak at the Thimpu Talks, things would have turned smoothly with the assistance of India. The unification of Italy is a fine example.

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        Dear AR

        Thank you once more for sharing knowledge and your prospective.

        The problem was Mr A and I know him very well. In fact the PLOTE and the LTTE and all other Tamil groups were all victims to this folly (I am not sure you know what did take place in Vaddukottai alone from 1970 – 1977? I lived that daily).

        Then all this led to the Armed forces being the victims and all other death and misery too where each and every death is as important as the other?.

        The original crime was committed by the JVP on SL people set the president and they repeated the same as GOSL was struggling to contain the events.

        The GOSL and India seen to the same at the end…in between they all slept with each other to manage matters accordingly….so lessons learned is where we are with the 20A.

        All this was because of the FP creative politics that had no substance I them to serving people in the form of realistic solutions oriented/conflict management approach but a cocky life style that could not even solve the caste injustices in Jaffna let alone all other economic issues that needed educated people to solve matters accordingly.

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          I am sorry for PLOTE just as all other groups too who had no business in Indian training camps to start with as Children (who should be at the schools/education we were providing them) not at far away lands being brain washed to satisfy FP needs.

          We the people of Jaffna were working hard to shape the future no one had any right to take away through violence. Even when the undemocratic election in 1977 we did not challenge the system because to respect the Tamil people vote but waited for the right opportunity (such as 1981 DDC) make the paradigm shift that needed to save the Tamils and the Nation from this death trap/fate.

          In a nutshell we Tamils have lost any say in SL affairs (last chance was in 2009 when Hon MR given the opposition seat to TNA) they made a blunder by demanding devolution/armed forces put on trail etc.

          That was the last nail in the coffin as GOSL will keep the TNA to appease the Indians/UN/the world as long as required. Indians/China and all other participants who finished war have moved on except people like you still writing the same old stuff in a creative way?? without being focused on uniting the people now are more enlighten than before?

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            None of these people have the capacity to be MP’s then and now period in a democracy….they do not belong to any democracy period.

            My Father when he lost the elections did not focus on demonising the TULF the people elect then but invested his time on writing his thesis such as
            Sri lanka and Asian Economic Cooperation – A conceptual and Institutional Framework for Accelerated Development…Hon Late Premadasa personally approached him to make all this work for the PEOPLE of Jaffna/Nation in the DDC.

            Have you ever listen to the tribute he paid at my Father at his funeral???

            I never seen the FP/ITAK/TULF people at my mothers side for all the attempted killings and the actual killing of my Father but the GOSL and the world paid tribute to the death of TULF??? even one of the references in the wikipedia page on my father questioned why a Nations PM paid a tribute to my Father a Turncoat…now the sentence is carefully removed.

            I will tell you how criminal the wikipedia references are regards to my Father as even that content is changing too.

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    Dear AR

    I respect you took time to respond to my points.

    This is my take on all your responses (most of them anyway) that you have just glossed over all what I said and normalised “Law of the Jungle” in your prospective.

    In the same process you have inadvertently/may be the also due to the natural flow of your argument making/logic has overturned all that we said out to fix that was wrong as part of developing our Nation. India is a separate Nation & we Sri Lankans are a separate Nation of people period.

    The fact you do not like Sinhalese for whatsoever reason indeed you have the right to leave the land but can not kill me and say you are making a case for your personal preferences………..atleaset you are honest……the cowards who went around and killed people when they were not elected anymore/sold my children to Indian sponsored terrorism are the conniving rascals we are after…who did not tell us to prepare for the same then we could all had a western cowboy style shoot out to settle the scores…unfortunately is the innocence Mother Lankan Children paid the price.

    I also note you have no party politics in SL but support all from Indian point of you. Good luck.

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      Thiagarajah Venugopal,
      Again you are mistaken. I have more Sinhalese friends (including some Ministers) than Tamils. Do you know there was an attempt on my life by the LTTE which ended on a failure. Even the Muslims attempted on my life. The LTTE tried to force me to comply with their views when I had to send my report after I watched the interests of Rajiv Gandhi at the Courts Martial over an assault by a naval rating. But I had to chase them out as there was no other choice and they took the revenge but could not. Because of this I had to leave for Canada. This does not mean I am against the Tamils. I have been living with terrorism and found all evils of it. The LTTE killed number of relatives & friends for being honest. I don’t know how I over-powered them. It is still a mystery. I studied every move of the Tamil Organizations, the Tamil political parties as well as the Sinhala political parties since 1977. That is why I had to take such decision – Sri Lanka do not deserve to gain independence. Thank you for sharing your views.

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    Dear AR

    Sorry to learn your ordeal as a fellow man and even more that you are my countryman.

    I respect everyones opinion as long other man does not commit

    thuggery/intimidation/violence/killings etc. That is always given is how I was brought up.

    We are all entitled to differ in our politics is why Democracy is a tool to be used for human empowerment…otherwise we will have wild-west as we had back home in SL specially in Vaddukottai where I come from kingdoms were challenged and changed not sure yet.

    Love the world and the humanity and respect all Nations and people and any reference to Nations are only limited to the respective politicians and foreign policies that affected my Nation and not a generalised reflection of any Nation of People will be as unjust too.

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